creators home
creators.com lifestyle web

Recently

Alcoholics Can Never be Social Drinkers DR. WALLACE: My father is definitely an alcoholic. He continues to work only because his boss is his best friend. I even heard the boss tell my dad that if he didn't cut down on his alcohol consumption, he might be forced to fire him. The problem is …Read more. Wearing a Seat Belt can Save a Life DR. WALLACE: This letter is directed to teens who travel in a motor vehicle. Please buckle up, regardless of where you sit or how short the trip might be. Several weeks ago, I stopped at the scene of a violent automobile crash. Having medical …Read more. Vibrating Belts do not Melt Body Fat DR. WALLACE: I'm 17 and have excess fat on my upper legs, commonly known among females as "saddle bags." I've tried every kind of exercise possible to eliminate this fat, but nothing has worked. A friend told me that her mother got rid of …Read more. Marijuana Use is Unhealthy and Unwise DR. WALLACE: I'm 19 and have been smoking marijuana for over five years. A close friend introduced me to "pot" and I am thankful that he did. I truly enjoy getting high on "weed." I only use marijuana when I am positive that …Read more.
more articles

He is on the Hunt for Young Girls

DR. WALLACE: I'm 15 and need your advice. Last Christmas I visited my aunt who lives in Mexico. The boy who lived next door was really cute, and he asked me to go out with him. I told him no because I thought I was too ugly to go out with such a cute guy.

I plan to spend the next Christmas vacation in Mexico with my mom. I called my cousin to find out if Juan is still around, and if so, I would probably go out with him if he asked me. She said he is still around.

During the past nine months, I have lost 26 pounds, have visited a dermatologist (my complexion is now clear) and have a new hairstyle. I think you could say that now I'm rather attractive. The only problem is that, although Juan still lives next door, my cousin said she wouldn't recommend going out with him. He is 19 years old, has a 19-month-old son and a 15-month-old daughter with two different girls and has not been employed, even though he is physically capable of working.

What do you think? Should I go out with Juan if he asks me, or should I continue to say no? Being asked out and saying yes would do wonders for my self-esteem. — Lupe, Nogales, Ariz.

LUPE: Congratulations on your transformation! I'm proud of you for taking such positive steps in your life. This shows you already have considerable self-esteem and are willing to take ownership of your life. If you maintain this positive attitude, believe me, guys will soon be asking you out.

Regarding Juan, I definitely agree with your cousin. This guy is trouble. He's too old for you, and he's sexually irresponsible. He's probably always on the hunt for young girls. Dating him would do nothing for your self-esteem except, quite likely, shatter it.

MY MOM CAUGHT ME SMOKING

DR.

WALLACE: I'm a 13-year-old girl and I started smoking this past summer. My mom caught my two friends and me and put me on restriction for a month. I told her I would never smoke again if she would let me see my two friends again.

Well, I did get off restriction, but my mom caught us smoking again in the back of my dad's van. Now I'm really grounded. I can't even use the telephone, watch television, listen to the radio or have friends over to the house.

I must spend at least two hours per night on homework, and I've got to be in bed at 10 every night with the lights out. I also cannot associate with my two friends because of all this trouble.

Dr. Wallace, these friends are good people. All they do wrong is smoke a few cigarettes a day. In fact, both of their parents are aware they smoke and don't really care one way or the other. Do you think my mother overreacted, and do you think I should be allowed to see my two friends once I get ungrounded? — Lytia, Dothan, Ala.

LYTIA: The problem is, Mom has no way to trust you. As you undergo your punishment, think long and hard about your inability to keep your word. Your word is everything, Lytia! The fact that you broke a solemn promise is, I'm sure, more distressing to your mother than the fact that you puffed on a cigarette.

Don't even think about hanging out with those two girls again. The peer pressure for you to smoke again if you are with them is just too great.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at rwallace@galesburg.net. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2009 CREATORS.COM


AddThis Social Bookmark Button
More
Dr. Robert Wallace
Nov. `09
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 1 2 3 4 5
About the author About the author
Write the author Write the author
Printer friendly format Printer friendly format
Email to friend Email to friend
View by Month